GCCEC achieves EarthCheck Gold again and sets the standard for sustainable events management

22 October 2014

The Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) has become the first EarthCheck Certified member to be verified against the EarthCheck Responsible Meetings and Events Standard, after being the first convention centre in the world to achieve EarthCheck Gold Certification.

The GCCEC recently attained the new qualifications in addition to obtaining EarthCheck Gold Certification for a second consecutive year.

EarthCheck Responsible Meetings and Events Standard is aligned to the international standard ISO 20121:2012 “Event Sustainability Management System”. As a second party verified venue, the new credentials further highlight the GCCEC’s transparent commitment to delivering sustainable excellence in the meeting and events industry.

The standard helps venues such as the GCCEC offer event organisers, clients and suppliers an already operational and exceptionally effective framework to measure, minimise and eliminate the environmental, social and economic impacts of events.

The standard applies to a broad range of events, both large and small worldwide giving event organisers in the MICE space extra reassurance that the GCCEC’s Event Sustainability Management System is not only compliant but places the Centre as a leader in the worldwide group of sustainable venues and operators recognised by EarthCheck.

Since inception, the GCCEC has embraced environmentally-friendly practices before formally aligning with EarthCheck in 2008. The organisation is widely regarded as the world’s most scientifically rigorous environmental management program, designed specifically for the travel and tourism industry.

The rigorous independent certification process poignantly showcases the Centre’s outstanding operational practices. GCCEC General Manager, Adrienne Readings believes the recognition holds great merit given that “we are benchmarked across like properties internationally and assessed against industry best practice in energy and water consumption, total waste production, and community commitment”.

“The integrity of our organisations commitment is independently proven each and every year.

“The process allows us to critically assess our own efficiency and performance against the travel and tourism’s best operators. To be recertified EarthCheck Gold after becoming the first convention centre in the world to achieve this last year, is unquestionably a great testament to GCCEC’s sustainable approach to business practices.

“EarthCheck Responsible Meeting and Events is an extension of our existing framework that we as a business are particularly excited about given that the standard is dedicated to the meetings and events industry which is our core market and happens to be one of the largest progressive sectors within the Asia-Pacific region,” added Readings.

Corporate Social Responsibility is at GCCEC core with key business decisions reflecting a culture that is demonstrative of managing activities and events as sustainably as possible.

Last year, Adrienne Readings spearheaded a power usage policy that called on event organisers to minimise energy consumption during off –peak periods with the use of time sensitive power switchboards. The policy not only reduced unnecessary consumption but also provided cost saving implications for associated event organisers, exhibition and event services and independent exhibition stand occupiers who exhibit at trade shows and events.

The EarthCheck program is trusted by more than 1300 organisations in over 70 countries.